New Research Shows Benefits of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's Optiflow™ Nasal High Flow Therapy

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Oct. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (NZX: FPH, ASX: FPH) today welcomed new research on the benefits of its Optiflow™ nasal high flow therapy. This research will be presented at the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) Congress in San Antonio, Texas from October 15-18.

Last week, the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published another study led by Associate Professor Hernández M.D, which investigated the use of nasal high flow (NHF) therapy in comparison to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for patients at high-risk of reintubation.¹ The randomised clinical trial was conducted across three intensive care units and used Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's Optiflow™ nasal cannula. The research showed that among high-risk adults who had undergone extubation, NHF was not inferior to NIV for preventing reintubation and post-extubation respiratory failure.  

The multicentre randomised non-inferiority clinical trial, involving 604 adults in three intensive care units in Spain, found that the proportion requiring reintubation was 22.8% with NHF therapy vs 19.1% with NIV, and post-extubation respiratory failure was observed in 26.9% with NHF vs 39.8% with NIV, reaching the non-inferiority threshold. As secondary outcomes, median time to reintubation was not significantly different in the two groups but median ICU length of stay after randomisation was lower in the NHF group: 3 days vs 4 days. In addition, adverse effects requiring withdrawal of the therapy were observed in none of the patients in the NHF group vs 42.9% of patients in the NIV group.  

This research follows on from an earlier study this year by Assoc. Prof Hernández and colleagues, also published in JAMA, which found that the use of Optiflow™ NHF therapy reduced the risk of escalation for extubated patients within 72 hours when compared to conventional oxygen therapy.  

The much better comfort and tolerance of NHF compared with NIV, permitting nearly 24 hours of daily use, are significant advantages³ and together, these two studies published by Assoc. Prof Hernández in JAMA comprise compelling clinical evidence of the benefits of Optiflow™ NHF therapy.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare at AARC Congress

At this year's AARC Congress, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare will be at booth 323, showcasing our family of Optiflow™ NHF therapy products, including the Optiflow™+ cannula, Airvo™ 2, Optiflow™ Junior, and F&P 850™ heated humidification system.  

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is also hosting Prof Jean-Damien Ricard and Dr Gonzalo Hernandez as special guest speakers at a clinical breakfast symposium where they will be discussing the current evidence and mechanisms of action for nasal high flow therapy.  

¹ Hernandez G, et al. Effect of Postextubation High-Flow Nasal Cannula vs Noninvasive Ventilation on Reintubation and Postextubation Respiratory Failure in High-Risk Patients. JAMA. 2016 doi:10:1001/jama.2016.14194

² Hernandez G, et al. Effect of Postextubation High-Flow Nasal Cannula vs Conventional Oxygen Therapy on Reintubation in Low-Risk Patients. JAMA. 2016 doi:10:1001/jama.2016.2711

³ Spoletini G, et al. High-Flow Nasal Oxygen or Noninvasive Ventilation for Postextubation Hypoxemia, Flow vs Pressure? JAMA. 2016 doi:10.1001/jama.2016.2709

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About Fisher & Paykel Healthcare

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of products and systems for use in respiratory care, acute care, surgery and the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.  The company's products are sold in over 120 countries worldwide.  For more information about the company, visit our website www.fphcare.com.

SOURCE Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited